Nutrients 2014, 6(4), 1752-1781; doi:10.3390/nu6041752
Ascorbic Acid and the Brain: Rationale for the Use against Cognitive Decline
1
Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
2
Brain Institute, Department of Neurology, NIA–Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
3
Geriatrics Department, University of Cologne Medical Faculty, Cologne 50937, Germany
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 25 October 2013 / Revised: 24 March 2014 / Accepted: 10 April 2014 / Published: 24 April 2014
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vitamin C and Human Health)
Abstract
This review is focused upon the role of ascorbic acid (AA, vitamin C) in the promotion of healthy brain aging. Particular attention is attributed to the biochemistry and neuronal metabolism interface, transport across tissues, animal models that are useful for this area of research, and the human studies that implicate AA in the continuum between normal cognitive aging and age-related cognitive decline up to Alzheimer’s disease. Vascular risk factors and comorbidity relationships with cognitive decline and AA are discussed to facilitate strategies for advancing AA research in the area of brain health and neurodegeneration. View Full-TextKeywords:
ascorbic acid; vitamin C; brain; cognitive function; alzheimer’s disease; dementia; aging; elderly; endothelial function; blood-brain barrier; SVCT (sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter)
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Harrison, F.E.; Bowman, G.L.; Polidori, M.C. Ascorbic Acid and the Brain: Rationale for the Use against Cognitive Decline. Nutrients 2014, 6, 1752-1781.
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